The document discusses the Open Source Practice Centre (OSPC) team which includes Seamus Crowley, Sabrina McDonnell, and John Casserly. The role of the OSPC is to research and evaluate open source software, collaborate with local authorities, and provide expertise and recommendations on open source solutions. Current progress includes training and certification in open source fundamentals, desktop testing of various Linux distributions, and setting up an open source local area network. Next steps involve further evaluating and implementing open source solutions for desktop productivity, servers, and strategic replacements.

1. Open Source Practice Centre
LGCSB
Rhoda Kerins
Project Manager

2. Overview
● OSPC team
– Seamus Crowley
– Sabrina McDonnell
– John Casserly
● Role of the OSPC
● Product research and evaluation
● Collaboration and Consensus
● Outcomes from today's discussions

3. Open Source Practice Centre
● Expert Centre - a resource for LA's
● Evaluate Open Source software
● Investigate and Understand / evaluate OS solutions
● Research, Study and Certification
● Develop skills to expertise level over time
● Implementation and management of an OS
environment
● Integration with existing infrastructure

4. OSPC - Progress
● Training and certification
● Fundamentals and LPI Level 1 at SCT, Sandycove, Co.
Dublin
● Desktop testing and recommendation
● Ubuntu, Fedora, Suse, RedHat
● OS LAN in place
●
● Collaboration with LA's

5. OSPC – Next Stage
● OS solution evaluation
● OS implementation progression
● Desktops
– Office productivity products
– Browser based alternatives – Agresso
● Server Side
– Print Servers, Firewalls......
● Strategic Replacement
– SQL
– Sharepoint
● OS Community in LA sector
● Working groups
● Communication forum